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RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics had a record-setting year in 2025-26 in a number of ways, including winning four Southland Conference Championships, sending two student-athletes to NCAA National Championships, and generating $9,380,367 in philanthropy, ticket sales, sponsorships, licensing, and game day revenue during fiscal year 2026.
The 2025-26 athletic year saw UTRGV Athletics set records by generating $1,378,194 in ticket sales and $2,189,737 in corporate sponsorships while also raising $4,929,948 in philanthropic giving to the Vaqueros Athletic Fund.
“On behalf of our coaches, staff and student-athletes, we are most grateful for the investment the Rio Grande Valley is making in the UTRGV Vaqueros. Our loyal and generous fans and supporters, combined with one of the hardest working revenue generation teams in the country, has propelled UTRGV Athletics into a new era,” UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “This level of consistent investment and growth has allowed UTRGV Athletics to create a first-class student-athlete experience and game day environment for our fans to enjoy. As we continue to #RallyTheValley, compete for championships, and graduate student-athletes, I am confident our best days are still in front of us.”
UTRGV’s inaugural football season saw the Vaqueros play seven consecutive sold-out home games at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium, aiding a 118.7% increase in ticket sales from the previous record set in fiscal year 2025. Additionally, UTRGV Athletics generated $549,732 in game day revenues including parking, tailgating, and concessions.
The UTRGV Vaqueros enjoyed incredible fan support across all sports. UTRGV ended 2025-26 with over 10,300 season ticket holders across the ticketed sports of baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, and volleyball. UTRGV welcomed more than 228,000 fans through its gates across all sports – the best overall attendance in the Southland Conference and a department record which saw the Vaqueros rank fifth out of 129 Div. I FCS institutions in total attendance across ticketed sports.
Football drew 87,774 fans across seven home games in 2025, ranking 11th in the FCS in total attendance and averaging 12,539 fans per game, 15th-best in the FCS. Baseball welcomed an average of 3,546 fans per game, ranking 26th out of 308 Div. I programs, with a total of 74,465 fans throughout the season.
UTRGV’s record support resulted in licensing and merchandising revenue increasing by 428% from fiscal year 2025. The community’s support and excitement for the Vaqueros generated a record $2,575,436 in total merchandise sales.
In the last five years, UTRGV Athletics has seen consistent growth in revenue generation through record ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and unprecedented investments through philanthropic giving. UTRGV has raised over $46 million since fiscal year 2022.
The increases in revenue generation have helped UTRGV Athletics foster a top-tier student-athlete and fan experience as facilities have been built or enhanced to the tune of 13 capital projects impacting all 18 sports with an investment of nearly $200 million since 2021. Most recently, UTRGV increased the capacity of Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium to 13,498 after expanding the south end zone by approximately 1,500 seats to create a singular student section and boost the energy on game day.
Just as the community supported UTRGV Athletics in 2025-26, the Vaqueros positively impacted their communities in a number of ways. The launch and inaugural season of UTRGV football resulted in a total economic impact of $144.3 million in the local economy, according to an economic impact analysis created by the UTRGV Data and Information Services Center. UTRGV Athletics ranked 10th in the nation among Div. I institutions in the 2025-26 HelperHelper Community Service Report, racking up 6,604 hours of service equating to $238,676 in economic impact.
To learn more about supporting the UTRGV Vaqueros, please visit GoUTRGV.com/VAF or contact the UTRGV Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at (956) 665-2221.
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